Status

Co-op Student

Student - Length of assignment

4

Start Date

May 4, 2026

Salary

Per hour

Salary Grade

Department

York Region -> Community & Health Services -> Public Health

Location

PH - 50 High Tech Road, - Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N7 CA (Primary)

Job Description (E)

OUR EMPLOYEES DO WHAT THEY LOVE AND LOVE WHAT THEY DO

We're consistently recognized as an employer of choice in Canada. In 2024, York Region has been recognized by Forbes on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for the fourth consecutive year. In 2020, the Region was selected as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, a Top Employer for Young People in Canada, one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. These awards by Mediacorp Canada Inc, the country’s largest publisher of quality employment-related periodicals, confirm what our dedicated staff have always known: York Region is not only a great place to live, it's a great place to work.

POSITION PURPOSE

Reporting to the Manager, Health Protection, is responsible for assisting with monitoring, promoting and ensuring compliance with Provincial, Regional and Municipal legislation, as well as Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols set out by the Ministry of Health in order to prevent, eliminate and decrease health hazard and infectious disease effects in the Region; completes assigned work and trainee responsibilities as outlined by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). The position is offered for a minimum of twelve (12) weeks to meet the Board of Certification requirements.

POSITION TITLE: Health Protection - Practicum Student
DEPARTMENT/BRANCH: Community and Health Services - Public Health, Health Protection
LOCATION: 50 High Tech Road, - Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N7
HOURLY RATE OF PAY: $19.66 - $28.63 (depends on year of study)
SCHEDULED SHIFTS: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
PRACTICUM DURATION: 4 months

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS

• Improve the student’s working knowledge of pertinent regulations enacted under the Health Protection and Promotion Act as well as the Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols.

• Enhance collaboration, teamwork, leadership and learned skills in completing assigned work.

• Undertake work as directed, including but not limited to, inspections, case investigation and/or outbreak management and other assignments within the Environmental Public Health Practice, as required to support trainee preparation for certification examination.

• Apply education to further enhance experience and abilities in areas of assessment and analysis; legal and regulatory compliance; advocacy; and policy, program planning, implementation and evaluation.

• Preparation and gained experience so the student can participate in CIPHI’s Board of Certification process.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Inspection, Investigation and Monitoring Functions:

• Assists with public health inspection services in the community in accordance with inspection and investigation requirements as determined by risk assessment and the Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols; helps to identify, monitor and decrease health hazards in the community.
• Assists with inspections of food premises as required by the Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
• Assists or shadows inspections of child care centres, long-term care homes, recreational camps, personal service settings, public swimming pools, spas and wading pools.
• Assists with monitoring air quality of local arenas.
• Assists with inspections of international agricultural workers.
• Assists with investigations and follow-up on reported potential rabies exposures.
• Under the guidance of Public Health Inspectors, investigates reports of communicable diseases.
• Provides assistance when needed to investigators during outbreaks.
• Assists with sampling and monitoring of water quality of drinking water systems. Conducts beach water sampling and environmental surveys for designated public bathing beaches in the region.

Enforcement Activities:

• Assists Provincial Offences Officers with enforcing legislation under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Tobacco Control Act, the Provincial Offences Act and their respective Regulations.
• Assists in the review of plans of various premises for compliance with applicable legislation.

Communication, Liaison, and Consultative Functions:

• Responds to inquiries and complaints of drinking water quality, when required and interprets water analysis reports.
• Ensures services provided meet York Region’s customer service standards as per the Health Protection Divisions customer experience plan.
• Handles information in accordance with the legislation and corporate standards.
• Assists in the response to complaints of health hazards in the community; acts as an advocate for healthy communities, healthy living and disease prevention.
• Investigates and provides follow-up for individual cases and outbreaks related to communicable diseases, as directed.

Public Education Activities:

• Assists in presenting training courses and information sessions to educate the general public and specific groups such as school boards and food handlers, using appropriate teaching aids.
• Provides the public with health-related information on air quality issues, such as carbon monoxide, radon, airborne allergens and mould.
• Provides information on potential health hazards such as water quality, pest infestations, waste disposal, flood damage, Vector-Borne Diseases, and general sanitation during emergency and routine situations.

Reporting and Records Management Activities:

• Maintains electronic and manual records in accordance with Regional standards.
• Completes reports and statistics as directed.
• Reviews fact sheets and performs research for updated information.
• Reports communicable disease hazards in accordance with legislative requirements.

Other Duties:

• Diseases positive activity response, as required or as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned in accordance with Branch or Department objectives.

• May occasionally be required to respond to emergency situations outside of normal business hours, as related to the Departmental Emergency Plan.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled on a full-time basis in an approved Environmental Public Health Program that is recognized by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).
• Completes the required mandatory practicum program for a period of 12 weeks.
• Current student membership in good standing with CIPHI.
• Demonstrated skills to assist in completing comprehensive reports.
• Knowledge of risk assessment theory to conduct quality inspections.
• Familiarity with public health legislation including the Health Protection and Promotion Act, as well as Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability in corporate core competencies including customer service, communication, teamwork, initiative/self-management.
• Demonstration of competencies, including flexibility and adaptability, accountability, strategic thinking, innovation and creativity, and collaboration.
• Computer literacy utilizing MS Office software including word processing, spread sheet and presentation applications.
• Demonstrate ability in dealing with the public and presenting information to diverse audiences.
• Satisfactory completion of a police vulnerable sector check as required under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021
• Ability to travel to offsite locations in a timely and efficient manner. Ability to work variable hours as required and some weekends.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Apply to Job ID:8406 with your resume, cover letter and unofficial transcript by January 25, 2026 @ 5:00 PM EST
• For any documents uploaded, please use the following naming convention "Last Name, First Name - Health Promotion Practicum - Student (Job ID: 8406) - Resume"
• Upon offer, a police vulnerable sector check will be requested

Scheduled Weekly Hours

35

Scheduled Shifts

Close Date

January 25, 2026

of Hires Needed

2

Union

CUPE Local 4900

Please apply online by 5:00PM EST of the closing date indicated above.

All employment opportunities are recorded on a 24-Hour Career Line and may be accessed by calling 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75508. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please be advised, York Region uses email as the primary means of communication with candidates and does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process. Please ensure your email address is up to date, checked frequently (including your spam folder), and accepts messages from unknown users.

York Region is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity, aiming to build a qualified workforce that reflects the population we serve. Should you require an accommodation under the Human Rights Code during the recruitment and selection process, including accessible formats and communication supports, please email careers@york.ca or call 1-877-464-9675 extension 75506. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request during recruitment processes and throughout employment.